Hammer’s first colour film, The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) proved a visceral retelling of Mary Shelley’s story. Eyeballs, severed hands and surgical procedures are presented in a relatively unflinching style. At one point, the Monster is shot in the head and blood gushes from its wound. This approach distanced the film from Universal’s monochrome, more suggestive horrors. The film was met with great enthusiasm by paying audiences, but alienated and horrified critics.